Garda National Traffic Bureau – The Clare Championhttps://clarechampion.ie
Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notesFri, 29 Jan 2016 13:46:04 +0000en-GB
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.1https://clarechampion.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/cropped-Clare-Champion-Phoenix-only-32x32.pngGarda National Traffic Bureau – The Clare Championhttps://clarechampion.ie
3232129683150Warning to drivers on ‘sun glare’https://clarechampion.ie/warning-to-drivers-on-sun-glare/
Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:20:33 +0000http://www.clarechampion.ie/?p=28072THE Road Safety Authority and gardaí are cautioning drivers about the the danger of ‘sun glare’, which results in drivers being temporarily dazzled or blinded by the intensity and brightness of a low sun.

The appeal comes as provisional crash reports indicate that drivers being temporarily blinded by ‘sun glare’ may have been a contributory factor in five fatalities and nine serious injuries between 2014 and 2015.

Moyagh Murdock, CEO, RSA said, “Because, at this time of the year, the sun sits so low in the sky, late in the morning and early evening, corresponding with the main commuting times, the sun visor on the car isn’t really much help at all. If a driver is driving straight into such a sun he or she can be completely dazzled by the sheer intensity and brightness of its rays. The situation is made worse if the windscreen is dirty or greasy or if it’s been raining, or the ground is covered with snow. In this situation the glare reflects off the wet or snow covered road to further dazzle the driver.”

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, Garda National Traffic Bureau, advises driver on what they should do.

“Reducing your speed is the first and most obvious thing to do. Slowing down on the approach to junctions, corners and bends is critical. You simply do not know what hazard may be up ahead at these potential risk spots, and one you certainly won’t be anticipating is being blinded by sun glare. In particular, watch out for vulnerable road users, namely pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

“Ensure your windscreen is clean inside and out. Add windshield washer fluid to the water in the reservoir and check that the wipers are not worn away or damaged. Replace them if they are. Consider wearing a pair of polarised sun glasses. They will help greatly if driving into a sun that’s low on the horizon,” he said.

]]>28072Bank holiday car seatbelt appealhttps://clarechampion.ie/bank-holiday-car-seatbelt-appeal/
Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:20:02 +0000http://www.clarechampion.ie/?p=26561To coincide with the October Bank Holiday, gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are making a special appeal to drivers and passengers to ensure they use a safety belt at all times.

A review of fixed charge notices issued for this offence so far in 2015 reveals that the 20-39 age groups are the ones that are failing most to use the most basic form of road safety – the safety belt. More than half (56%) of all fixed charge notices were issued to people aged 20-39.

In addition, concern is also being expressed over the number of fatal incidents where it has been found that the driver or passenger had not been wearing a safety belt at the time of the collision. No safety belt was worn at the time of collision for one in three of the driver or passenger road deaths so far in 2015, significantly higher than in previous years. Nearly half of these (48%) were aged 20-39.

Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau, said, “Of the nearly 8000 fixed charge notices that have been issued to drivers and passengers for not wearing a safety belt, we have found that our younger drivers and passengers are the ones failing to wear a safety belt the most often.

“Whilst we know that the vast majority of people wear a safety belt, it is startling to think in this day and age, anyone, especially the 20-39 age groups, who have been exposed to huge road safety education over the past few years are choosing not to wear this simple but life saving device. Safety belts work in conjunction with every other safety feature in cars, in particular airbags, and not using a safety belt renders them all virtually useless.”

Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the RSA, added,”Seatbelts are proven lifesavers. Without a seatbelt three out of four people will be killed or seriously injured in a 50 km/h head on crash. By not wearing a seatbelt you also risk becoming a killer yourself, because in a crash you will be thrown about inside the car, injuring or possibly killing others. It only takes seconds to put a seatbelt on, when you get into the car it should be automatic that you put it on. Don’t take your life or those of the other passengers in the car for granted by not wearing a seatbelt, belt up and do your part to reduce the needless carnage on our roads.”

]]>26561Slow Down Day on Fridayhttps://clarechampion.ie/slow-down-day-on-friday/
Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:21:11 +0000http://www.clarechampion.ie/?p=25540An Garda Síochána will conduct an intensive national speed enforcement operation for a 24 hour period, starting at 7am on Friday. This national “Slow Down” day, is supported by the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders.

The objective of operation “Slow Down” is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The aim is to get drivers to slow down by reminding them of the dangers of speeding, increasing compliance with speed limits and acting as a deterrent to driving at excessive and inappropriate speed.

Last year saw another increase in road deaths, resulting in 195 fatalities. Excessive or inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor to road traffic collisions. The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood is of a collision happening and the more severe the outcome of that collision. As a general rule, a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 2% reduction in minor injury collisions, a 3% reduction in serious injury collisions and a 4% reduction in fatal collisions. This is why reducing motorists’ speed is essential to improving road safety.

The operation will consist of Garda high visibility speed enforcement activities on both national primary and secondary roads. All speed enforcement technologies will be utilised, including all laser handheld speed detection devices, Garda safety camera vans and in-car speed detection systems.

GoSafe vehicles will also be deployed on the day in speed enforcement zones where serious and fatal injury collisions have occurred.

In addition to enforcement, the Garda website and in particular social media sites will be actively used to promote this initiative.

Superintendent Con O’ Donohue, Garda National Traffic Bureau, said, “Although fewer people have lost their lives on our roads this year compared to last year, we can never afford to be complacent and say the job is done. A significant number of people still drive too fast at times.”

]]>25540Ease up on the acceleratorhttps://clarechampion.ie/ease-up-on-the-accelerator/
Wed, 27 May 2015 06:47:05 +0000http://www.clarechampion.ie/?p=23785The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the gardaí have appealed to drivers, in the run up to the June Bank Holiday weekend to save lives by going easy on the accelerator.

The organisations have asked drivers not only to reduce speed but to always drive at a speed appropriate to all the prevailing conditions.

Over 70,000 speeding offences have already been detected in 2015. Nearly 80% of those detections were for speeds between 10 and 29 km/h over the posted speed limit. A further 10% were in excess of 30 km/h over the posted speed limit.

Figures show that the June Bank Holiday has consistently been the starting point for what is traditionally the most dangerous period on Ireland’s roads – summertime. In the last five years, 256 people have died in June, July and August. Over the next three months it is possible therefore that 51 lives could be lost in crashes on the nation’s roads.

Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, said, “Whether it’s farmers out cutting silage, tourists travelling around the country or people heading out for a cycle or walk in the evening, the roads are going to be very busy over the June Bank Holiday and indeed throughout the summer months. So I would appeal to everyone to please take more care on the road. If we watch out for one another and don’t take unnecessary chances we can ensure that we all arrive safely at our destinations.”

Moyagh Murdock, chief executive, Road Safety Authority, Moyagh Murdock, said, “People assume that there are more risks in the wintertime because of the poor weather, poor road conditions and more hours of darkness. But the opposite is true. Summertime is more dangerous. Probably because there are no obvious dangers, the weather is fine and days brighter. So we relax our guard.

Chief Superintendent Mark Curran of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, “We know excessive or inappropriate speed is the main contributory factor in road traffic collisions. If it goes wrong for you on the road, the greater the speed at which you crash, the more severe the consequences will be.”

]]>23785St Patrick’s weekend road safety messagehttps://clarechampion.ie/st-patricks-weekend-road-safety-message/
Sat, 14 Mar 2015 09:15:27 +0000http://www.clarechampion.ie/?p=21832Over the weekend and into St Patrick’s Day, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have cautioned all road users, but in particular drivers and pedestrians, to act responsibly and show restraint.

“With many schools closed, many families will take the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country over the next few days. It is every road users responsility to ensure that the roads are safe for all,” Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau said.

To date, 29 people have tragically lost their lives on Irish roads, five road deaths less than this date last year. 196 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2014.

Newly released figures show that over the past five years, on average, twice as many drivers have been arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving on both St Patrick’s Day and the day after, compared to any other day in the month of March. In addition, 15 people lost their lives and a further 30 people were seriously injured in road collisions between March 16-18.

Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the RSA, noted, “Two thirds of pedestrians killed on our roads have consumed alcohol. This is a staggering statistic, and it is not new. When you’re walking under the influence of alcohol you’re unsteady on your feet making you less capable of crossing the road safely and quickly and more likely to fall over or end up on the ground totally out of view of oncoming traffic. You’re also more likey to step out unexpectedly into the path of oncoming vehicles because your judgment of distance and speed is seriously compromised.

“So, if you are going out, plan getting back. This means organising collection afterwards, a lift, or sharing a taxi or hackney to get home safely.”